Ukraine Starlink Restrictions
Trump Asked Musk to Lift Ukraine Starlink Restrictions
Former President Trump reportedly called Elon Musk to request the lifting of restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starlink satellite internet services, after which the system appeared to function more normally.
Former President Donald Trump contacted Elon Musk to ask for restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starlink satellite internet to be lifted. Following the call, the military-grade system's performance improved, impacting Ukraine's drone and battlefield communications.
Ukraine has relied on SpaceX's Starlink and Starshield satellite networks for military drone operations and battlefield communications since 2022. Starlink's coverage includes over 11,150 satellites, with a speed cap of 70 km/hr for mobile use. Starshield operates at higher speeds, at least 160 km/hr, and is used for drone strikes and battlefield sensor connectivity. Elon Musk has denied responsibility for recent throttling, attributing restrictions to U.S. military decisions.